Chapter 110 THE CONSPIRACY
"What?"
“You did not drink it right?,” Adrian snapped as he faced Kaelion in concern.
Kaelion tilted his head slightly. “No, i didn't. You told me earlier that I should observe before I partake.”
The words were innocent.
Across the hall, Lord Vaelor had gone pale.
Too pale.
Maeron saw it too.
“Search the servants,” Maeron commanded.
Two were seized almost immediately. One wept in terror. The other stared forward, rigid.
“Bring them here.”
As the accused were dragged toward the dais, Kaelion stepped forward—just enough to be seen clearly in the torchlight.
He looked at the servants.
Then at the nobles.
Then at Lord Vaelor.
Lord Vaelor swallowed.
“I assure you, Your Majesty,” he began quickly, “this is an outrage. An attack upon the crown...”
“Yes,” Adrian said evenly. “It is.”
He descended the dais slowly.
Each step deliberate.
He stopped before the kneeling servant who refused to tremble.
“Who sent you?” Adrian asked.
Silence.
The man’s jaw tightened.
Adrian’s voice lowered. “How dare you attempt to poison your king.”
Still silence.
The servant’s eyes flickered—just briefly—to the left.
Toward Vaelor.
Just briefly.
But Kaelion saw it.
And so did Maeron.
Adrian followed the flicker.
The hall had become a vacuum.
“Lord Vaelor,” Adrian said calmly.
Vaelor forced a laugh. “Your majesty, surely you do not suspect me...”
“You raised the first toast tonight. It was unlike you,” Adrian said.
A beat.
“But, you requested the decanter yourself. I have no connections of any sort to the palace”
Another beat.
But then, the king thought of Casvian who had sitted calmly behind Vaelor, observing.
The King noticed him. He had also been unusually quiet.
“Casvian, you have been most vocal regarding my… adoption. Would you mind explaining this?” Adrain asked.
The last word landed softly.
Casvian’s composure cracked. “Since you bring a stranger into the line of power and expect no concern, and no resistance, i would speak less.But do not blame me when the realm is full of sorcerous surprises.”
The word slipped out.
Sorcerous.
There it was.
Gasps fluttered through the hall.
Adrian’s eyes hardened.
“You presume much.”
Vaelor straightened desperately. “The people still whisper, Your Majesty. They fear what his background and the fact you acknowledged him as son easily. Perhaps, you had a secret affair but thats impossible as you were a kid then.”
All eyes turned.
To Kaelion.
He stood perfectly still.
Then—calmly—he stepped down from the dais.
A presence that was not a child at all.
He approached Vaelor slowly.
Adrian did not stop him.
That was the first mistake.
Kaelion’s gaze dropped briefly to Vaelor’s trembling hand.
“You are wrong, I do have a mother. And no one dares call her illegitimate” Kaelion replied angrily.
The torches flickered.
Just once.
A draft, perhaps.
Vaelor staggered backward suddenly as if shoved—though no one had touched him.
He fell hard against one of the banquet tables. Plates crashed. Wine spilled like blood.
Gasps erupted.
Kaelion had not moved.
Adrian stepped forward at last, his presence reclaiming the space.
“Lord Vaelor,” he said coldly, “you will not appear in court for three weeks for such slander.”
“But, i didn't say it.” Vaelor sputtered.
“For this matter,” Adrian said. “Investigations will go on.”
Guards seized the servants.
The hall remained silent as they were dragged away.
Adrian turned slowly to the assembly.
“An attempt was made on my life,” he said. “In my own hall. During a celebration of unity.”
His gaze swept them.
“If any man here believes my protection of this boy weakens the crown—let tonight correct that misunderstanding.”
No one spoke.
No one dared.
Adrian extended his hand.
After a brief pause, Kaelion placed his smaller hand within it.
The gesture was deliberate.
Visible.
A declaration without words.
Father and Son.
King and chosen heir in title.
As the nobles bowed. But not everyone was willing to let it slide.
Casvian, who was still sitted was not willing to back down. "Perhaps, the crown prince desires the throne and will want full possession by force."
"What do you mean by that, casvian? And who allowed you to speak." Adrian thundered furiously."
“I have always protected the stability of the realm.”
“No,” Adrian said. “You protect your ambition. The one that has clouded your judgement. Perhaps, you want the throne for your kin.”
A murmur rippled In the hall
Casvian’s gaze slid to Kaelion.
“Why don't you let the boy speak,” he said. “If he is to stand among us, let him declare he does not seek the throne.”
Maeron stepped forward sharply. “This is not your tribunal...”
Kaelion lifted a hand.
Maeron stopped.
The prince stepped forward into the center of the chamber.
The room felt smaller.
“I do not seek the throne,” Kaelion said clearly.
Casvian smiled faintly. “Then swear it. Before us as witnesses.”
Adrian’s voice was iron. “You overstep.”
But Kaelion did not look at Adrian.
He looked at Casvian.
“You fear instability,” Kaelion said. “But what you do not know is that instability has already begun.”
Kaelion continued, calm.
“If I swear away succession, the question will not vanish. It will grow. Because your concern is not inheritance.”
His eyes sharpened slightly.
“It is control. And I have said it before. But this time, I'll grant your wish. Bring them in.” Kaelion said.
Some guards brought in lady Elara and Casvians servant.
"Confess."
And behind casvian’s composed expression, unease began to coil.
"Son, what do you mean by this?" Adrian asked confused.
"Father, " Kaelion answered audibly. "I did an investigation on Lord Casvian after he refused to come to court. I also found out he's organized a ploy with the other two lords in order to put an end to what they call the 'kings madness', since you would not listen to their petition."
"Is that so?" Adrian laughed at the boldness.
"Is this true Lord Casvian?" He asked.
"A lie, my King." Casvian answered afraid. "The prince frames me."
"Do you need me to ask Lady Elara here or do you want me to call the other Lord?"
"Whatever Elara says might just be part of your plan." Casvian snapped. "You could have manipulated both of them to say your wish."
"Perhaps, we can bring in whom I can't manipulate in the court."
"Who could that be, son?"
"You'll see, father."
"Bring back Lord Vaelor immediately."
Murmurs filled the hall.
Isn't it the same man who tried to kill the king. Why was the Prince bringing him back in. And how was he to prove Lord Casvians involvement in treason.